What is your favorite holiday song?

[stubeeef]

There are so many, and the artist matters of course. Bing doing White Christmas will always be my choice over any rap version. Of course I am getting old too!

But my favorite is come all ye faithful and I like the Bing version too.

As far as albulm I have to go with Johhny Mathis or Nat King Cole. :)

Now some of these are Christmas songs and not Holiday necessarily, many are secular though.

I Love Handel's Messiah A lot!!!!!!!!

What do you like to hear during the Holiday season? What memories do some songs bring?

[Capt Underpants]

My favorite song is "Santa's Comin' In a Whirlybird", though I do like "Rockin' around the Christmas Tree" as well. Christmas songs cheer me up, and give me memories of family and what not.

[Roger1]

I like Halleluja by Manheim steamroller. Great song. I also like Do you hear what I hear? I think Whitney Houston sings it. Another Great song :)

[PlaceofDis]

im not a fan of holiday music to be honest, it just doesnt suit me, or i havent found an artist that i like

anyone know of any new-age enya-esque type of holiday music? i think holiday music should be relaxing, and new-age fits that bill

[Rower_CPU]

im not a fan of holiday music to be honest, it just doesnt suit me, or i havent found an artist that i like

anyone know of any new-age enya-esque type of holiday music? i think holiday music should be relaxing, and new-age fits that bill

Mannheim Steamroller, who Roger1 mentioned, fit that bill, more or less. Some of their stuff is more up-tempo, but they're definitely new-agey.

I'm a big fan of one of Harry Connick Jr's Christmas albums - When My Heart Finds Christmas (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000029DL/qid=1102213916/sr=8-6/ref=pd_csp_6/102-6257030-2491311?v=glance&s=music&n=507846).

[iLikeMyiMac]

Christmas Time (Is Here Again) - The Beatles

[PlaceofDis]

Mannheim Steamroller, who Roger1 mentioned, fit that bill, more or less. Some of their stuff is more up-tempo, but they're definitely new-agey.

I'm a big fan of one of Harry Connick Jr's Christmas albums - When My Heart Finds Christmas (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000029DL/qid=1102213916/sr=8-6/ref=pd_csp_6/102-6257030-2491311?v=glance&s=music&n=507846).

thanks Rower, ill look into them :)

[williamsonrg]

Manheim Steamroller and Trans-Siberian ORchestra ("Christmas Eve in Sarajevo" rocks) are both good.

I'm also a big fan of any version of "Carol of the Bells" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen".

But the BEST? "Christmas at Ground Zero" (Weird Al) and the song from "Love, Actually"

[Mr_Ed]

Merry ********G Christmas by Mr. Garrison :D

I'm not really big on Christmas tunes . . .

[scem0]

Mariah Carey's version of "O' Holy Night".

scem0

[Spymit007]

"Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney. It always brings a smile to my face when I hear it. So cheesy with the synthesizer but good nonetheless.

[virividox]

monty python - ho ho f cking ho

[Mechcozmo]

Osama got run over by a Reindeer!

You can't beat that for quality.........

[iMeowbot]

The Kinks' "Father Christmas." Always loved the attitude.

[wrc fan]

Yogi Yorgesson doing "I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas" and "Yingle Bells". um... yeah.

[Macaddicttt]

My favorite would have to be "O, Holy Night," but it has to be a good version. I've heard it butchered tons of times. But what qualifies as a good version, you ask? The best version I ever heard I heard a few days ago. I went to the lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in front of the White House and they did a really good version. Most of the songs they sung were pretty corny, but they had this one opera singer sing "Silent Night" and "O, Holy Night." It doesn't get much better than a renown opera singer accompanied by a choir and the Marine Band singing my favorite Christmas song.

Edit: Sorry Scem0, but I consider Mariah Carey's version as butchering... Sorry, I just don't like her...

[lavar78]

I'm a sucker for "The Chipmunk Song" by The Chipmunks, "Christmas Time Is Here" by the Vince Guaraldi Trio (from A Charlie Brown Christmas), and "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms. My favorite traditional song is "What Child Is This." My favorite albums are The Jackson 5 Christmas Album and Someday at Christmas by Stevie Wonder.

[mfarley]

Has to be 'White Christmas' by Bing Crosby. =)

[Macaddicttt]

"Christmas Time Is Here" by the Vince Guaraldi Trio (from A Charlie Brown Christmas)

I almost forgot. The soundtrack from A Charlie Brown Christmas is the best Christmas album ever. Hands down.

[trebblekicked]

"the carol of the bells" by david benoit and "sleigh ride" by the john pizzarelli trio. good jazz christmas stuff.

"o come o come emmanuell" by belle and sebastian
"christmas card from a hooker in minneapolis" by tom waits

"merry ********** christmas" by mr garrison

[StarbucksSam]

I'm Jewish but I don't really like the Hanukkah songs. I like the Ukranian Bell Carol a lot, I think that's what it's called... and I like the Jingle Bell rock.

[mlw1235]

I really really like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir version of O Holy Night..

itunes Link (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=4620507)


William Hung has a good new christmas album out now :p :p

[MattG]

U2 -- Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

[Jaffa Cake]

My pick would have to be Fairytale Of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl.

[dvdh]

I Love Handel's Messiah A lot!!!!!!!!


Agreed there. Question: what recording of it do you have. I am looking for a good one, preferable on vinyl.

[bousozoku]

The Christmas Song is such a warm song to me. It pulls me into the season. It doesn't matter whether it's Nat King Cole, Barbra Streisand, or Natalie Cole singing it. It's amazingly simple and beautiful.

[jbembe]

When My Heart Finds Christmas (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000029DL/qid=1102213916/sr=8-6/ref=pd_csp_6/102-6257030-2491311?v=glance&s=music&n=507846).

Both of Connick's Christmas albums are good. If you like that, check out Sinatra's, especially "Go Tell it on a Mountain":

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00063MC66/qid=1102720562/sr=8-2/ref=pd_ka_2/104-2267822-9854312?v=glance&s=music&n=507846

[Rower_CPU]

Both of Connick's Christmas albums are good. If you like that, check out Sinatra's, especially "Go Tell it on a Mountain":

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00063MC66/qid=1102720562/sr=8-2/ref=pd_ka_2/104-2267822-9854312?v=glance&s=music&n=507846

Thanks for the recommendation - I've got some other Frank/Bing Crosby albums but not that one. :)

[stubeeef]

Agreed there. Question: what recording of it do you have. I am looking for a good one, preferable on vinyl.

The vinyl version we have is actually boxed up, I couldn't tell ya which it is, sorry. I lean on my wife in these matters, I am not educated on what is good, better, best... but have the itunes London symphony version, 19.95 I think.

I found this (http://inkpot.com/classical/messiah.html)

HANDEL'S MESSIAH: Recommended Recordings
sop=soprano, alt=alto, cten=countertenor, ten=tenor, bas=bass.
If you have opinions on the recordings below - why not write a review and submit it to the Inkpot!

Modern, medium-scale performance
Amelingsop, Reynoldsalt, Langridgecten, Howellbas.
The Academy of St.Martin-in-the-Fields conducted by Sir Neville Marriner.
Double DECCA 444 824 (budget-price).

Authentic/period style performance
Schlicksop, Piausop, Schollcten, Padmoreten, Bergbas.
Les Arts Florissants directed by William Christie.
HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 901498.99 (full-price)

• CLICK HERE FOR INKPOT REVIEW.

L.Dawsonsop, Denleyalt, Jamescten, M.Daviesten, M.Georgebas.
The Sixteen Choir & Orchestra directed by Harry Christophers.
HYPERION Dyad CDD 22019 (budget-price).

• CLICK HERE FOR INKPOT REVIEW.

Ampssop, Davidsonalt, Dovetoneten, Van Aschbas.
The Scholars Baroque Ensemble.
NAXOS 8.550667/8 (budget-priced).

Modern re-orchestrated, "fun" version (arr. Salzedo)
Vyvyansop, Sinclairalt, Vickersten, Tozzibas.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham.
BMG/RCA GD61266-20 (2 mid-price, 3rd disc free. Add a few bucks if imported)

• CLICK HERE FOR INKPOT REVIEW.

Single-disc collection of choruses
Monteverdi Choir. English Baroque Soloists directed by John Eliot Gardiner.
PHILIPS Solo 446 575 (mid-price).

Choir of Christ Church Cathedral (Oxford). Academy of Ancient Music directed by Christopher Hogwood.
DECCA/L'OISEAU LYRE 443 193 (mid-price).

My wife is an awesome soprano, trained in voice. Has performed some great operas on the local scale. Has smashed the violinists light in front of her on a solo.

Our entire church service on the 19th will be Messiah featuring of course, my wife!

[rueyeet]

My college roommate had a tape or two of Christmas music; her mom had forbade her to play it before Thanksgiving--or possibly Halloween, I forget which. Since that was the first time I'd really been exposed to Christmas songs as a holiday mood-setter, that kinda remains my baseline for Christmas music. I really missed it--and her--when decorating my tree this week. :(

If I remember, it featured a LOT of Nat King Cole, some Harry Connick Jr., the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and a classical version of Carol of the Bells (my personal favorite).

In general I like all the old standbys, done as simply and straightforwardly as possible. The newer artists all mess with them too much to leave their own stamp, though I do like the Barenaked Ladies' rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". I also like the Ave Maria--even though it's not specifically Christmasy, it would go well with the season.

The other thing I really love is the musical version of "Scrooge"--my sister and I would play the 1970 Albert Finney movie of it every Christmas while decorating the tree. I'm kicking myself because it's playing here in Baltimore, at the Hippodrome that I haven't been to yet, with no less than Richard Chamberlain as Scrooge--and I've got no time to go! :mad:

That's it: Sometime this weekend I'm going on iTunes and buying a playlist of Christmas music!

[1user]

o' holy night and have your self a merry little christmas.

[mike3k]

My pick would have to be Fairytale Of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl.
I was just about to say the same. A great song!

It was Christmas Eve babe
In the drunk tank
An old man said to me, won't see another one
And then he sang a song
The Rare Old Mountain Dew
I turned my face away
And dreamed about you

Got on a lucky one
Came in eighteen to one
I've got a feeling
This year's for me and you
So happy Christmas
I love you baby
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true

They've got cars big as bars
They've got rivers of gold
But the wind goes right through you
It's no place for the old
When you first took my hand
On a cold Christmas Eve
You promised me
Broadway was waiting for me

You were handsome
You were pretty
Queen of New York City
When the band finished playing
They howled out for more
Sinatra was swinging,
All the drunks they were singing
We kissed on a corner
Then danced through the night

The boys of the NYPD choir
Were singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells were ringing out
For Christmas day

You're a bum
You're a punk
You're an old slut on junk
Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed
You scumbag, you maggot
You cheap lousy ******
Happy Christmas your arse
I pray God it's our last

I could have been someone
Well so could anyone
You took my dreams from me
When I first found you
I kept them with me babe
I put them with my own
Can't make it all alone
I've built my dreams around you

[digiplay]

my 2 favorite holiday songs:
1. the most wonderful time of the year - andy williams
2. my favorite things - supremes & diana ross